ISTANBUL

Annual inflation in Belgium was at 8.97% in May -- the highest level since August 1982, when it was 9.02%, according to figures released on Monday.

As in most countries, energy prices were the main trigger for the high inflation, according to an official press release.

Energy prices rose by 56.8% year-on-year, accounting for 4.8 percentage points of total inflation.

The inflation rate was 6.32% for food products.